Conor Daly has revealed surprising developments regarding his involvement in the 2026 IndyCar season. After losing his seat at Juncos Hollinger Racing to Rinus Veekay following the 2025 campaign, Daly, the 34-year-old veteran from Noblesville, Indiana, has been pursuing a full-time ride with multiple teams for the upcoming season. Despite initial silence from Juncos Hollinger Racing about their second driver position, and Sting Ray Robb‘s existing two-year contract, Daly was unable to secure that seat, ending the possibility of partnering with Veekay.
His last hopeful option was Dale Coyne Racing, yet Daly disclosed in December that Dale Coyne had ceased communications some time ago, leaving his IndyCar future uncertain beyond a likely one-off entry at the Indy 500. However, in a recent episode of his Speed Street podcast released on Friday, Daly suggested that his 2026 involvement might be larger than initially expected.
“I’ve obviously been in a very difficult spot because I am current without a ride,” said Daly. “But I can honestly tell you that even today, still today, there’s not a 0% chance that I am doing more than one race. There is definitely a percentage of a chance that I could be in St. Pete. There’s a percentage of a chance I could end up testing in two weeks.”
He further described the driver market’s instability and ongoing behind-the-scenes upheaval.
“It’s that much of a chaos behind the scenes, and what you see on the outside might not be actually what’s going on. It’s just been messy. That’s the best word I can use on it. You will see me in an Indy car at some point.”
Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean is widely regarded as the confirmed new driver for Dale Coyne Racing’s second seat, demonstrated by his presence at IndyCar’s production days recently, where he filmed content for the team.
Potential Opportunities Connected to PREMA Racing’s Financial Struggles
The unpredictability Daly alludes to may be related to financial and operational challenges faced by PREMA Racing ahead of the 2026 season. Although the Italian squad has secured test sessions, Chevrolet engines, and signed drivers Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott for next year, it appears PREMA will delay their debut until the fifth race of the calendar—the Long Beach Grand Prix in April. Ilott himself confirmed last week at Daytona that the team is not ready to compete early in the season.
Journalist Tony Donohue recently reported that PREMA Racing is unlikely to participate in the first four race weekends, opening the possibility for other teams to field drivers in those grid spots during the early rounds.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) is considered a top candidate to fill the void given its resources and planned activity during the Indy 500 month. Jack Harvey, slated to drive for DRR in the 2026 Indy 500, shared insight on the team’s perspective regarding PREMA’s uncertain status and the potential for schedule expansion.
“The conversations really that have been had with Dreyer from my side is, one, if we could do it (an expanded schedule), what might it cost. Obviously, there’s a sponsorship element to this as well. When you get through that is are we going to be competitive. I think that’s another important aspect as well.”
“Certainly, the team, like a lot of teams out there, are monitoring that situation very closely. I would say they’ve got a good of a chance as anybody that if Prema weren’t there, they might be able to fill in some extra races.”
Daly has been linked with DRR’s second Indy 500 entry over the offseason. Should DRR decide to expand beyond a single appearance, Daly could potentially secure multiple races rather than just an Indy 500 drive.
The Broader Implications for Conor Daly and the 2026 IndyCar Grid
Conor Daly’s comments illuminate the volatile state of IndyCar’s driver market entering the 2026 season, underscoring how off-track complexities continue to shape seat availability and team lineups. With PREMA Racing’s delayed start and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s flexibility, Daly’s chances of extending his presence beyond a one-off event appear more promising than initially thought.
As negotiations and sponsorship considerations evolve, fans and insiders should keep a close eye on announcements regarding his confirmed races, including possible test sessions and early-season appearances like the St. Petersburg Grand Prix. This situation highlights how veteran drivers like Daly remain contenders amidst the shifting dynamics of team strategies and financial realities.
